Mom wanting to visit int/l student son, US visitor visa was denied back in 2009

[nevillek]

Hi,

I'm studying in Canada as an int/l Ms student since last year and my mom would like to come visit me for 3 months and I'm in the process of filling in her online application form for Canadian visitor visa.

Now, there's a field in the application form regarding Background Information that states "Have you ever been refused any kind of visa, admission, or been ordered to leave Canada or any other country?"

My mother was refused a visitor visa to the US in 2010 and 2011 as her husband had become a greencard holder at that time, inspite of having gotten a visitor visa twice, in 2007 and 2009, and having visited the US, when her husband was not a greencard holder.

So I'd request anyone with any idea/experience to help me frame a proper, convincing answer to the above question so that it doesn't harm her chances of getting the Canadian visitor visa.

Please help, thanks!

 

[Jalex23]

Hi,

I'm studying in Canada as an int/l Ms student since last year and my mom would like to come visit me for 3 months and I'm in the process of filling in her online application form for Canadian visitor visa.

Now, there's a field in the application form regarding Background Information that states "Have you ever been refused any kind of visa, admission, or been ordered to leave Canada or any other country?"

My mother was refused a visitor visa to the US in 2010 and 2011 as her husband had become a greencard holder at that time, inspite of having gotten a visitor visa twice, in 2007 and 2009, and having visited the US, when her husband was not a greencard holder.

So I'd request anyone with any idea/experience to help me frame a proper, convincing answer to the above question so that it doesn't harm her chances of getting the Canadian visitor visa.

Please help, thanks!

"Frame an answer"? Stick to the facts. They will cross check with US immigration and if they find you are trying to "frame the answer" you could be accused of not giving a trustful answer and be banned from entering to Canada for 2 years.

BTW "as her husband had become a greencard holder at that time" is that even a legit refusal reason? Hope you don't write that if it wasn't stated by US immigration using those words. Write the reason they gave your mother. For example, they once refused my US visa and it was due to "lack of proper documentation". Write the reason, don't tell stories.

 

[nevillek]

"Frame an answer"? Stick to the facts. They will cross check with US immigration and if they find you are trying to "frame the answer" you could be accused of not giving a trustful answer and be banned from entering to Canada for 2 years.

BTW "as her husband had become a greencard holder at that time" is that even a legit refusal reason? Hope you don't write that that if it wasn't stated by US immigration like that. Write the reason they gave your mother.

By "framing", I meant grammatically correct, and not untruthful or deceiving.

Well, that is the only reason she knows of. When she was interviewed by the US Embassy officer, she, without being asked, mentioned that her husband had received a greencard recently and when asked "if she would like to become a greencard holder too", she naively answered "I wouldn't mind", which resulted in "we would not be able to give you a visitor visa".

So I'd like to explain that story in the application in a correct way.

 

[on-hold]

By "framing", I meant grammatically correct, and not untruthful or deceiving.

Well, that is the only reason she knows of. When she was interviewed by the US Embassy officer, she, without being asked, mentioned that her husband had received a greencard recently and when asked "if she would like to become a greencard holder too", she naively answered "I wouldn't mind", which resulted in "we would not be able to give you a visitor visa".

So I'd like to explain that story in the application in a correct way.

'Framing' never means 'correct grammar', so you want to be careful about that. The reason that she was turned down is because the officer was not convinced that she would return to her home country; in Canadian terms, you could put it as 'insufficient ties to home country', though that is usually used for familial or physical attachments, not a state of mind that is receptive to staying permanently.

 

[nevillek]

'Framing' never means 'correct grammar', so you want to be careful about that. The reason that she was turned down is because the officer was not convinced that she would return to her home country; in Canadian terms, you could put it as 'insufficient ties to home country', though that is usually used for familial or physical attachments, not a state of mind that is receptive to staying permanently.

Correct. Infact, that's what mentioned in the generic rejection letter she received both times. No specific reason. That's why I'm confused what to mention in the application field where it's asking for details about any visa rejection for any country.

Although I believe they judged her not on "familial or physical attachments" but on her state of mind (more specifically her answer as to whether she'd like a green card too) because there was no evidence of lack of physical attachments to home country. With the only exception of a husband working in the U.S., she had a son, a mother in law and bank balances back home.

 

[Jalex23]

Correct. Infact, that's what mentioned in the generic rejection letter she received both times. No specific reason. That's why I'm confused what to mention in the application field where it's asking for details about any visa rejection for any country.

Although I believe they judged her not on "familial or physical attachments" but on her state of mind (more specifically her answer as to whether she'd like a green card too) because there was no evidence of lack of physical attachments to home country. With the only exception of a husband working in the U.S., she had a son, a mother in law and bank balances back home.

I would strongly recommend to stop trying to read in between lines and guessing what were the reasons. "There was no evidence of lack of physical attachments to home country with the only exception of a husband working in the U.S., she had a son, a mother in law and bank balances back home" that is not a tie, in fact that could be considered a threat as she could be looking to go abroad to work and send money back for them. You can't know, so unless stated specifically don't guess on reasons.

From the information you provided I would write: "US Visa denied in 19XX with no specific reason stated". If you still have the rejection letter around attach it as part of your documentation so there are no questions on whether you are trying to hide information. Never ever volunteer information, stick to the facts, be accurate, honest, concise and brief.

Good luck!

 

[nevillek]

Are you sure they share info for a visitor visa too? Read this article:

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/10/04/canada_us_to_share_personal_information_of_immigrant_applicants.html

It's supposed to begin in fall 2014 and also states "The system, officials say, will allow for the sharing of “limited” information for the processing of applications for a permanent or temporary resident visa, a work or study permit, or to obtain asylum."

 

[Jalex23]

Are you sure they share info for a visitor visa too? Read this article:

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/10/04/canada_us_to_share_personal_information_of_immigrant_applicants.html

It's supposed to begin in fall 2014 and also states "The system, officials say, will allow for the sharing of “limited” information for the processing of applications for a permanent or temporary resident visa, a work or study permit, or to obtain asylum."

The tricky word here is "personal". The refuse reason of an application is not considered "personal". (See why I am telling you not to "guess" or "believe"?)

Yes they share it, they have caught several people who "forget" to mention they were refused a visitor visa for the US and were accused of trying to lie to CIC and banned from Canada for up to two years.

As I said, don't play it smart, stick to the facts.